Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties

Wolf 191M (adult male) was located 24 times, and 187F (adult female) was located 21 times during the quarter, and the two were together on 3 occasions. A maximum of 3 wolves were seen with 191M on November 30, not including 187F.

Adult male 186M and 230M were monitored in this territory during portions of the quarter. Wolf 186M was aerially located 16 times and his signal was lost after November 27. Wolf 230M was located 24 times throughout the quarter and was observed 4 times with up to 3 other wolves. Both wolves were together on 11 occasions, and were seen together with 2 other wolves on November 3; the only time 187F was seen during the quarter. Between October 19 and October 26 186M dispersed from the Empire territory 11 miles west to the southwest of the Truck Trail territory with wolf 230M and perhaps the rest of the Empire pack. Between October 26 and November 16 the 2 wolves and probably others, traveled together southwest of the Truck Trail area and through portions of the tamarack River territory. These locations were from 11 to 20 miles west of the Empire territory, including a location near Brumo, Minnesota when 4 wolves (including 186M & 230M) were seen on November 3.

After November 16, wolf 186M dispersed further west, while 230M returned eastward. On November 22 186M was located only 0.2 miles east of I-35 9 miles north of Sandstone, Minnesota (32 miles west of the Empire territory). By the next flight (Nov. 27) 186M had moved 19 miles south to Hinckley, Minnesota and about 1 mile east of I-35 ( 42 miles southwest of the Empire territory). Wolf 186M was lost after this location.

Wolf 230M returned eastward to the Empire territory but also traveled extensively through the Truck Trail territory, especially the southern portion frequented by 187F. It's not clear what has happened to the Empire pack. Wolf 186M was though to be the alpha male and stepfather of wolf 230M.

At least 2 other wolves were though to exist in this pack including 1 or more pups. Possibly 186M could have been 230M's older brother. It appeared that the whole pack traveled from the territory in late October, but wolf 230M and the 2 non-collared pack members returned to the territory in early November. Wolf 230M was seen with 1 other wolf in the southwest corner of the Empire territory on December 4, and December 15 with 2 other wolves. Apparently 3 wolves remained in the Empire pack in early winter.

Female wolf pup 209F was located 25 times during the quarter and was observed 5 times with up to 3 other wolves. She had been observed 5 times with up to 3 other wolves. She had been observed with 4 other wolves last quarter. Most of her locations were within a 3-4 mile area of swamp south of Moose Lake. Apparently the pack consisted of 4-5 wolves in early winter.

Female 185F (adult female) dispersed to northern Burnett and south Douglas County last winter. She was first observed with another wolf on April 3, 1995. It appeared the 2 only recently met and denning had not occurred during spring. During the present quarter, wolf 185F was located 24 times and observed 3 times, all with one other wolf. The 2 have apparently set up a territory in the Chase Brook area of south Douglas County and portions of Burrnett County north and west of the St. Croix River. This new territory lies immediately south of the Truck Trail territory, and southwest of Crotte Creek territory.

Wolves 184M (adult male) and 195F (adult female) were located 11 and 25 times respectively. The 2 were detected together 5 times, and wolf 184M (the alpha male) was visually observed 2 times with 4 and 8 other wolves (including 195F). Wolf 195F (subordinate female) was observed 5 times, including observations with 8 wolves (1X), 4 wolves (2X), 3 wolves (1X), and 1 other wolf (1X). Nine wolves were observed in this pack on October 26.

Adult wolf 199M was located in this territory 25 times and observed once by himself in this territory. Wolf 207F originally settling into this territory in February 1995, but her radio stopped transmitting after late April. It was assumed that both 207F and 199M occupied this territory. Additional observations and tracking surveys will be necessary to determine of 2 wolves are still present. Wolf 199M continued to occupy a small territory west of U.S. Hwy. 53 in swampy areas along Stuntz Brook and Chicog Creek. The wolf's location ranged from less than 0.1 mile from the highway, up to 2.5 miles from the highway. The area apparently provides good habitat for beaver and deer.

Alpha male (223M) was located 23 times in this territory and his pup (255F) released on October 25 was located 19 times. Wolf 223M was detected with 255F five times, and 223M was visually observed 5 times including 2 observations with 255F, 2 with another wolf, 2 by himself. Wolf 223M continued occupying a large area that ranged from Hwy. A to Mason (extending about 16 miles east to west).Wolf 255F was caught on September 3, weighing only 10-1/2 pounds, and apparently having a very severe case of mange, lacking hair over much of its body. The pup was removed from the wild and placed in an isolation pen in captivity, and treated with Ivermeetin. by October 10 the pup's weight had increased to 29 pounds.The pup was release near its original capture site on October 25. At the time of the release (0810) wolf 223M was only about 0.3 miles away but by 1728 was 2.3 miles away. The next day (October 26) the adult male was located 8 miles away at 1110. The pup remained close to the release site for the next few days. Wolf 223M finally joined pup 255F at 0715 on October 27 and remained with the pup of about 24 hours. The female pup apparently did not move with the adult male when he left the area on October 28.Wolf 255F remained within 0.5 miles of the release site until November 8 (14 days following release). On November 9 the pup was located 2.2 miles to the south east of the release site with wolf 223M, and on November 14 was 9.2 miles away. Between November 9, and December 28 the 2 wolves were together on 5 of 12 locations and were within 1 or 2 limes of each other on most locations. Apparently the pup had rejoined Rainbow Lake pack.Because wolf 223M was seen with at least one other wolf by pilots, there appeared to be at least 1 other wolf in this pack. Observations in fall by members of thge public suggested 4 wolves probably existed in this pack, including an adult female, and a second pup, along with the 2 collared animals.

Wolf pup 254F was located 16 times in this pack in the southwest corner of Bayfield County. Only one visual observation was made on this pup/pack in which wolf 254F was by herself on December 20. Most of the pups locations were between Wis. Hwy. 27 and U.S. Hwy. 63. On December 28, the pup was located about 1 mile north of Nelson Lake in northern Sawyer County. Track surveys were initiated in the Smoky Hill territory by Sarah Boles and it appears that at least 3 wolves occurred in this pack.

Pack update for the Echo Valley Pack located in Bayfield County, WI

Track surveys were initiated in the northern tip of Bayfield county by Sarah, and Jack Stewart’s Northland College students. Thus far no wolf sign has been found. Tracks of 2 or more wolves and howling responses were obtained from this area in late spring.

Wolf 251M (adult male) was live captured and radio-collared in this territory last spring. Twelve of 21 locations last summer were within the traditional territory, the others were south along the Flambeau River and up to 12 miles south of the original territory. During the present quarter only 1 location (October 25) of 15 locations was in the territory; the remainder were southwest of the territory, especially near the Flambeau River. The wolf was not visually observed during the fall. Locations were as much as 20 miles southwest of the territory. Most of the quarter was spent west of Dairyland Flowage in northern Rusk County where 11 locations occurred 5 to 8 miles northeast of Ladysmith (October 11 - December 12). It appears that 251M has dispersed from the Thornapple River territory with occasional trips back. We found evidence of 2-3 wolves in the Thornapple River territory on December 20, but additional tracking surveys are necessary.

Pack update for the Log Creek Pack located in Ashland and Sawyer Counties, WI

No radio-collared wolves occurred in this pack during this quarter. Initial track surveys indicate that the pack map contain 2-3 wolves. Only 1 pup was though to be alive last summer. Additional survey work will be done by Sarah Boles and Lowell Tesky over winter.

Wolf 234M (adult male) that had occurred on this territory east of Clam Lake was located 15 times this quarter, but was not visually observed. This wolf does not seen to be using the interior of this territory, and perhaps has become a loner. Locations were mostly on the edge of the territory as far north as McCarthy Creek near Moquah Lake or as far south as the Stock farm area west of Butternut (18 miles apart). Locations were especially numerous in the Pelican Lake area along the Chippewa River.

Track surveys in the Torch River area thus far suggest that 2-3 wolves may occur in the portion of the territory. It is not clear yet whether this includes 234M or represents different wolves. Rich Bailey (USFS) and Sarah Boles will conduct track surveys in this area next quarter.

Attempts were made last summer to live-trap a member of this pack northwest of Clam Lake without success. Pups were located in this territory through howling surveys. Initial track surveys by Sarah Boles indicate at least 3 wolves continued to occur in the area. Additional surveys will be conducted over winter.

Wolf 229F (adult female) was located 15 times in this territory in eastern Ashland and western Iron County. She was observed once by herself (October 25) and once with 3 other wolves (December 20). Her territory ranged from just east of Glidden and north to the Goebic Range (about 12 miles north - south). Additional track surveys will be conducted next quarter.

Wolve 252M (adult male) and 253F (adult female) caught last spring in cental Iron County were thought to be members of the O'Brien Lake pack. Based on track surveys last winter this pack ranged from O'Brien Lake on the west to Hwy. 13 on the east (12 miles); north-south it ranged from Gile Flowage to Moose Lake (9 miles). Both wolves were caught in areas thought to be this packs territory, but the two never did associate with each other.

Wolf 252M remained in Central Iron County for only 5 radio-locations (June 12- June 27) before dispersing eastward into Vilas County and the western upper Peninsula of Michigan. The wolf was missing for much of July and August. On Setpember 9 wolf 252M showed up in eastern Ashland County about 1.8 miles southwest of Augustine Lake. Expect for a 12 mile move northeast of Augustine Lake on Sptember 20 (4 miles northeast of O'Brien Lake), the remainder of the locations through late December were within 3.5 miles of Augustine Lake. Most of 252M's 13 locations during the fall quarter were within a localized area along Augustine Creek 1 mile east of Augustine Lake. Wolf 252M was not visually observed throughout the quarter, or during the previous quarter, The limited movements of the wolf semmed unusual. During the aerial fight for this wolf on December 20, Phil Miller detected a mortality signal at 10:40. The wolf was found dead in a forest of hardwoods and balsam fir 3.3 miles Wolve 252M (adult male) and 253F (adult female) caught last spring in central Iron County were thought to be members of the O'Brien Lake pack. Based on track surveys last winter this pack ranged from O'Brien Lake on the west to Hwy. 13 on the east (12 miles); north-south it ranged from Gile Flowage to Moose Lake (9 miles). Both wolves were caught in areas thought to be this packs territory, but the two never did associate with each other.

Wolf 252M remained in Central Iron County for only 5 radio-locations (June 12- June 27) before dispersing eastward into Vilas County and the western upper Peninsula of Michigan. The wolf was missing for much of July and August. On September 9 wolf 252M showed up in eastern Ashland County about 1.8 miles southwest of Augustine Lake. Expect for a 12 mile move northeast of Augustine Lake on September 20 (4 miles northeast of O'Brien Lake), the remainder of the locations through late December were within 3.5 miles of Augustine Lake. Most of 252M's 13 locations during the fall quarter were within a localized area along Augustine Creek 1 mile east of Augustine Lake. Wolf 252M was not visually observed throughout the quarter, or during the previous quarter, The limited movements of the wolf seemed unusual. During the aerial fight for this wolf on December 20, Phil Miller detected a mortality signal at 10:40. The wolf was found dead in a forest of hardwoods and balsam fir 3.3 miles east of Glidden at 1745. The wolf appeared to have died from complications due to mange, hair was missing from half of his body; but a complete necropsy has yet to be preformed.

Wolf 253F seemed to be localized near Moose Lake in Central Iron County. She always remained at lest 7.5 miles east of O'Brien Lake. The wolf occasionally crossed Hwy. 51 near Pine Lake and was located east of the Hwy. three times last summer and once during the fall. Wolf 253F was located 14 times during this quarter and was observed once when she was with one other wolf (October 25).

Initial track surveys by Bruce Bacon and Clare Gower indicated that additional wolf activity occurred in central Iron County near O'Brien Lake and near the Ashland / Iron County line northwest of the Flambeau Flowage. Additional track surveys will be done this winter and aerial surveys of wolf 253F will hopefully clarify the relationship of wolf groups in the area.east of Glidden at 1745. The wolf appeared to have died from complications due to mange, hair was missing from half of his body; but a complete necropsy has yet to be preformed.

Wolf 253F seemed to be localized near Moose Lake in Central Iron County. She always remained at lest 7.5 miles east of O'Brien Lake. The wolf occasoinally crossed Hwy. 51 near Pine Lake and was located east of the Hwy. three times last summer and once during the fall. Wolf 253F was located 14 times during this quarter and was observed once when she was with one other wolf (October 25). Initial track curveys by Bruce Bacon and Clare Gower indicated that additional wolf activity occured in central Iron County near O'Brien Lake and near the Ashland / Iron County line northwest of the Flambeau Flowage. Additional track surveys will be done this winter and aerial surveys of wolf 253F will hopefully clarify the relationship of wolf groups in the area.

Yearling female (237F) was located in this territory 15 times during the quarter and was visually observed twice, including once by herself and once with another wolf. The wolf roamed portions of the Kimberly-Clark Wildlife area in western Price County, eastern portion of the Flambeau State Forest, as well as the surrounding landscape of county, private and industrial forest land.

Wolf 237F was caught in a coyote trap on October 29, but was released unharmed by Ron Schultz and Adrian Wydeven. Two weeks later wolf 237F was involved with a depredation on a young calf on a small cattle operation (November 12). The owner moved the cattle from the open pasture to pasture near the farm building shortly there after. Five of six wolves were observed at the site 0700 by the owner and wolf 237F was detected by radio signal about 1/2 mile to the southeast at 1100. No additional depredations occurred at this site.

Wolf 128M (adult male) and wolf 225F (adult female) were located 12 times during the quarter in this territory in eastern Price and western Oneida county. The two wolves seen to have split the territory with 225F occupying the traditional eastern portion of the territory, while wolf 128M occupied western portions of the territory, and extended his home range west of the traditional territory.Wolf 225F was observed once during the quarter when she was observed with 4 other wolves. Apparently at least 3 pups survived from last summer.

Wolf 128M was not visually observed during the quarter. He was observed with another wolf last summer, but it was not clear weather they were still together. Wolf 128M has been on the air since 23, 1991, the longest for any Wisconsin Wolf.

The mate of 201M and 2 of her pups were left in this territory last summer after 201M had been killed. Possibly 1 or 2 wolves may still be present; track surveys have just recently begun in this area. Track observations by Ron Schultz suggest that 1 or more wolves apparently exist north of Willow Flowage, and there is some evidence of another wolf south west of the flowage. Additional track surveys hopefully will clarify this situation.

Wolf 231M (adult male) that had originated from the Averill Creek pack, was last located in this territory on June 9, 1995, and had not occurred in Lincoln County since August 22, 1995. The wolf was located 13 times during the quarter, and one visual observation was obtained on December 7. All locations during this quarter were in Taylor County with locations from 1 mile west of the Lincoln County line to within 1-1/2 miles of Hwy. 13 hear Whittlesey (11 miles east-west). Two areas of concentrated use included Mink Creek, a tributary to the Rib River, and a swamp area south of Rib River lookout. Ron Schultz initiated track surveys in the Averill Creek area and found evidence of 3 wolves. Additional track surveys will be conducted by Ron and Sheri Buller next quarter.

No evidence of wolves was found in the Former Ranger Island territory.

Pack update for the North Taylor Pack located in Lincoln and Taylor Counties, WI

No update reported for this quarter

Pack update for the Wildcat Mound Pack located in Clark, Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

Wolf 238M (yearling or young adult male) was located 22 times during the quarter, but was not visually observed. The pack continued occupying the Black River State Forest between I-94 and Wisconsin Hwy. 54. Wolf 238M's movements started spreading out somewhat compared to summer locations. Good snow conditions for tracking and visual observations from the air have existed only since late December in Central Wisconsin. Bases on last summers observations, 3-5 wolves are believed to be in this pack.

Pack update for the Bear Bluff Pack located in Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

Two wolves are believed to exist in the Bear Bluff area if eastern Jackson, and western Wood County. Additional reports of single wolves were from northern Jackson County, and the east fork of the Black River in Clark County.

Pack update for the Sandhill Wildlife Area located in Jackson, and Wood Counties, WI

The adult male wolf that escaped form a holding pen in the Sandhill Wildlife Area in May continued roaming the fenced wildlife area. Attempts will be made by Dick Thiel and volunteers to determine the kill rate of this wolf during winter. Also tracking will be used to determine if the wolf ever leaves the wildlife area.

*source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Progress Report of Wolf Population monitoring in Wisconsin for the period October - December 1995. By Adrian P. Wydeven.